She dressed and waited in the shower room until she was sure the bus was gone. Then she went outside. It was getting late and almost dark. It was also a little cool. She started walking. She nearly jumped when the car pulled up beside her.

"Hey, Marilyn," a boy said. "You want a ride?" She peered at the boy's face and saw that he was Timmy Douglas, a boy from her math class. He was alone.

It was dumb to get into the car with him and she knew it. Yet this boy was interested in her and she needed somebody to be interested in her.

"I'm Timmy Douglas," Timmy said. "From your math class."

"I recognized you," Marilyn said.

"Really," he said. "I didn't think you cheerleaders ever noticed anyone unless they played football."

"That's not true," Marilyn said.

Timmy changed the subject.

"I watched you swim today," Timmy said. "I thought you looked good."

"Thank you," Marilyn said. "I only wish that Coach Bayles thought so."

"How could he help it?" Timmy asked. "Especially in your suit. You look damn fine in that suit. Do you ever wear a bikini?"

"No," Marilyn said. "I don't own one."

"Well you should," Timmy said.

Marilyn blushed red at his obvious compliments. She knew he wasn't really interested in her as a person. He was only interested in her body, but she didn't mind that so much. At least he was interested.

"I live right around this next corner," Marilyn said.

"You don't really want to go home right this minute, do you?" Timmy asked.

"I really should," Marilyn insisted. "It's getting kind of late."

"Come on," Timmy said. "Ease up a little. I've got a couple of cold beers in the trunk. How about let's park and drink them."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Marilyn said.

"Don't be like that, Marilyn," Timmy said. "Relax. Just one beer won't hurt you."